4-track to iMac? I need help.

[transyt]

I just downloaded the free version of Pro Tools for my iMac, and I wanted to try remixing some of my 4-track recordings. Anyone have any suggestions on doing this? I'm not even sure how to get started: what kind of cable or converter will I need to get the recordings from the tape into the computer? Any thoughts you have on this would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Well this depends on what imac you have, Unless it's new enough to have firewire on it, your stuck with the lil' 1/8" jack. Am I correct ? Regardless, I think you'll have to record each track seperately into protools. Is it an analog cassette 4 track, Or a digital ?

T.

 

[transyt]

more details

Hey, thanks for your reply. It's a new iMac (one year old), with firewire inputs. And I'm using an analog 4-track, a Tascam 424. Do you think I can hook them up fairly inexpensively? Thanks for your help!

 

[T.J.Hooker]

The cheapest thing you could do is this little USB jobbie. http://www.griffintechnology.com/audio/imic_main.html It's about $35-$40. If you want to get into recording some real cool stuff then research the MOTU 828 for about $800. But if you already have the 1/8" input jack, try that with some adapters. Did they take the 1/8" jack out of the Imacs? I know they took them out of the G4's. you'll have to come out of the 4 track which is probably 1/4" jacks right? Into the smaller 1/8" jack, one track at a time to really mix it up good.

Goodluck Bro,
T.J.Hooker

 

[Clark_Griswold]

The BIG issue you are going to have doing one track at a time into the 1/8" jack is going to be alignement. The tape will NEVER travel at the exact same speed every time...

I wish you luck,
C

 

[T.J.Hooker]

Yeah, that may be true if you have an older four track that might be a little worn out. But if you have a decent one with the pitch control(Speed) it's kinda regulated. I think more or less in this situation, if it's at the same pitch, it's at the same speed. The part I'd worry about, is starting all the tracks at the right time, and syncing them together. You'll know right off if it's not gonna work. Just start practicing your editing skills. You could get your hands on a copy of Bias' "Peak 2.5" $250, and change the speed with out changing the pitch. It still might take a little while of moving them around the 'ol cut and paste way to sync them, but it's an option. Or you can spend $800 for the Motu 828, and split 'em up with one shot of the four track. Or you can learn the protools program by rerecording the four tracks(if possible) one at a time. There are options, but it depends on how far or deep you wanna go. That's what determines how expensive it can get.

Just have fun man,
T.J.Hooker

 

[Downside Studio]

Well the sync part shouldn't be to difficult either. Try recording a pulse or a very short tone into all the four tracks simultanious. After recording them into protools, or wathever multitrack program, you just have to align the pulse or short tones. Works fairly simple and has done the trick for me before the wonderful world of SMPTE and MTC.